Five enter guilty pleas on drug charges

March 07, 2003

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Five guilty pleas were heard Wednesday in U.S. District Court involving drug cases investigated by both the Eastern Panhandle and the Potomac Highlands Drug and Violent Crimes task forces.

Appearing before Judge David J. Noel were:

Apryl C. Dawson, 26, of 805 Valley View Apts., Romney, W.Va., who remained free on bond pending sentencing on June 3 for distribution of heroin.

Falan L. Franks, 20, of 302 Valley View Apts., Romney, W.Va., who was free on bond awaiting a June 3 sentencing for distribution of heroin.

Dawson and Franks each face up to 20 years in prison and/or fines of $1 million.

John Steven Shoemaker, 31, of Romney, W.Va., faces up to 20 years in prison and/or a fine of $500,000 for maintaining a residence to distribute drugs. His sentencing date is June 3.

Appearing before Judge Craig Broadwater were:

Fred Allen Rulison Jr., 30, of 941 Concord St., Hagerstown, who is awaiting sentencing on June 10 for possession with intent to distribute 20 pounds of marijuana. Free on bond, Rulison faces up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Wesley Hunter Garrett, 23, of Capon Bridge, W.Va., will be sentencing June 3 for distribution of heroin. Maximum penalty in his case is 20 years in prison and up to $1 million fine.

All five cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Mucklow.